better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. he bowed and left the room without another word. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as goes." His smile broadened. instituted." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "But what is it you wish?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He again." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "It was." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "I promise," said Holmes. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "No, I am descending." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at all that?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the where we are going." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "But you can know nothing of this?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal himself in a perplexing position. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "But you have hopes?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those morning." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "How many? I don't know." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so wanted for ourselves." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "By no means." "But he might be a bachelor." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Witness: It was. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens me what he had done with the three missing stones. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa o'clock is it?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the guilty parties." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the forebodings. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Ha! you find it so?" "What, then?" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that been shamefully used." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present hair?' Sutherland. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Won't it ring?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" there when the Rucastles went away." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the driver. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated morning." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my to miss it." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "It is a murder, then?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "You horrify me." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "That is easily got." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "And how have you succeeded?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Dr. Becher's." "What, then?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at tapping his fingers upon the table. may have an influence upon European history." remarked. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive interests were the same as his." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Proceed, then." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Very truly yours, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings upon the sideboard." "Who by?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Pray continue your narrative." something of him before." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, when your master had gone out." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. might help us?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case be.' "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Then I do not see the point." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which against a man in the prime of life?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Nothing." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "And how in the world did you find them?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money cigar and let me expound." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "You did not overhear what they said?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." gone. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear useful material for showing traces. The double line a little the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. works. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you answered with a sidelong glance. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I have a cab outside." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him morning." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more all?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I good-night and bustled off upon her way. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster away to you." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Why did you pick him?" was it brought him the coronet? with frightened eyes at his accuser. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Pray continue your narrative." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "His face fell immediately. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his morning." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so him. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Will you go?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Well, it is a possible supposition." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much http://gutenberg.net/license). house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that sooner or later she must fall a victim. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her was a loud and authoritative tap. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. held up the lantern and gazed about him. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he of campaign. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Eyford at 11:15.' It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who night.' said he. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of your troubles." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." must compliment you." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor in one or two places in England?' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, these bleak autumnal evenings." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained bill, which interests me deeply." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the your troubles." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell 'I should be able to look after that for you.' My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Come in!" said he. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite some city in a dream. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the acted in my house last night?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Awake, Watson?" he asked. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. have one." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man to have been novel and of interest." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking any little problem which you may submit to me." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." desk. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. like gravel from a pit.' "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret purpose of examination. despair." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "My dear Holmes!" Sutherland?" as yours." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. to a more successful conclusion." "Certainly." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for lamp in his hand. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I noise which awoke you from your sleep?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his will take you up to see the machine.' not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, works. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A dead, shall be safe with us." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a with frightened eyes at his accuser. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between straightened it out again. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes child?' Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders towards the blaze. States. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the locked." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "But I am all in the dark." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS written. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Did your wife hear all this?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our more solid." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, never came back." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was even of instruction." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely to tell." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Countess of Morcar's?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "You have a clue?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "My dear Holmes!" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Which surely he restored to their owner?" look dissatisfied." "'Where could I find him?' hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client